Cord serum (CS) phospholipid fatty acid composition is influenced by the maternal diet during foetal life and maternal intake of LA and LNA has been shown to influence the LA and LNA levels in CS. A possible connection between the increased incidence of atopic diseases and the simultaneous increased intake of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2ω-6) and decreased intake of α-linolenic acid (LNA, C18:3 ω-3) in the western world has been proposed.

The aim of this study was to explore phospholipid fatty acid proportions and total IgE levels in CS collected from 1985 to 2005 from Swedish children, in a period with increasing frequency of allergic diseases in Sweden, and reveal possible changes over time. Omega (ω)-6 and ω-3 fatty acids and total IgE antibodies were analysed with gas chromatography and UniCAP® technology respectively in a total of 300 CS samples (60 samples every fifth year).

The proportions of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 ω-6) and α-linolenic acid (LNA, C18:3 ω-3) decreased significantly from 1985 to 2005. However, the LA/LNA ratio did increase revealing a relatively larger decrease in LNA than in LA. The proportions of both arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4 ω-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 ω-3) as well as other ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids increased significantly during the same time period. No correlations were found between ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids and total IgE levels in CS from newborn infants.

The incidence of allergic diseases has increased, and,I relation between allergy and dietary fatty acids has been proposed. Modulation of the maternal immune function during pregnancy may have an impact on future clinical outcomes in the child. The aim of this Study was to determine the effects of omega (omega)-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) Supplementation during pregnancy on the plasma fatty acid composition in relation to the maternal immune function. Pregnant women with allergic disease in their immediate family were supplemented daily with 2.7 g omega-3 LCPUFA (n = 70) or 2.8 g soybean oil as placebo (n = 75) from the 25th gestational week. The proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in plasma/serum phospholipids increased in the omega-3-supplemented group, whereas arachidonic acid decreased during intervention. Lipopolysaccharide-induced prostaglandin E, secretion from whole blood culture supernatants (it = 59) decreased in a majority of the omega-3-supplemented mothers (18 of 28, p = 0.002). The decreased prostaglandin E-2, production was more pronounced among nonatopic than atopic mothers. The lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine and chemokine secretion was not affected. Out results indicate that omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation during the last trimester may dampen certain immune responses involved in allergic inflammation.

Maternal intake of omega-3 (-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during pregnancy has decreased, possibly contributing to a current increased risk of childhood allergy. Aim: To describe the effects of maternal -3 long-chain PUFA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the incidence of allergic disease in infancy. Methods: One hundred and forty-five pregnant women, affected by allergy themselves or having a husband or previous child with allergies, were included in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Daily maternal supplementation with either 1.6 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.1 g docosahexaenoic acid or placebo was given from the 25(th) gestational week to average 3-4 months of breastfeeding. Skin prick tests, detection of circulating specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and clinical examinations of the infants were performed. Results: The period prevalence of food allergy was lower in the -3 group (1/52, 2%) compared to the placebo group (10/65, 15%, p andlt; 0.05) as well as the incidence of IgE-associated eczema (-3 group: 4/52, 8%; placebo group: 15/63, 24%, p andlt; 0.05). Conclusion: Maternal -3 fatty acid supplementation may decrease the risk of food allergy and IgE-associated eczema during the first year of life in infants with a family history of allergic disease.

Human milk transfers important immunological information from mother to child. We have previously reported lower prevalence of IgE-mediated disease at 12 months after maternal supplementation with ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) during pregnancy and lactation. Our aim was to explore the effect of ω-3 LCPUFA on the immune composition of human milk in relation to maternal atopy and allergic disease in the offspring. Pregnant women in families with a history of allergic disease were supplemented daily with 2.7 g ω-3 LCPUFA or 2.8 g soybean oil as placebo from late pregnancy to three months of lactation. Milk samples from colostrum (n=107), at 1 mo (n=102) and at 3 mo (n=95) were analyzed for IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, CXCL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40/p70, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF, IFN-γ, PGE2, TSLP, TGF-ß2 and SIgA with multiplex assay or ELISA. The levels of several cytokines were higher in non-atopic ω-3 supplemented mothers as compared to placebo supplemented mothers regardless of atopic status. Higher levels of TGFß2 and SIgA in 3 months milk were associated with allergic disease at one year of age both with and without detectable IgE. These results suggest that ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy influences cytokine levels in breast milk especially in non-atopic mothers.